Folding step



May 116. 1939, B. E. sARLEs Er AL Y 2,158,949

FOLDING STEP Filred Sept. '7, 1937 Patented May 16, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING STEP Application September 7, 1937, Serial No. 162,753

1 Claim.

This invention relates to folding steps and the principal object is to provide a step of this character which is adapted to be secured, in suitable numbers, to the freeboard portion of a boat so as to take the place of the usual boarding ladder.

It is customary for a boarding ladder to be carried on a boat having such an amount of freeboard as to render it diiiicult to board from a y dinghy. In the case of relatively small boats, it is frequently diicult if not impossible to nd stowage space for the boarding ladder where it will be out of the way and'yet readily accessible when needed. An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a substitute for the type of boarding ladder now in general use and which will occupy no space whatever that might be used for other purposes, also to provide such a substiy tute as will always be in position for use and which can be manufactured at low cost. A further object is to provide a structure wherein the steps will be normally attached to and folded at against the side of the boat, when out of use, but which may be readily adjusted into position for use either from within the boat or from alongside.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification, when taken in connection with the following drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a step according to the present invention when in position for 3o use on the side of a boat,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof in folded position,

Figure 3 is a detail fragmentary view, partly in section, showing means for holding the steps in folded position, and

Figure 4 is a sectional View on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, and Figure 5 illustrates a portion of a boat with the steps applied thereto.

Referring to the drawing in which like numbers represent like parts in the several views, I0

designates a base plate in the form of a substantially rectangular frame having a brace member II extending thereacross and having suitable openings I2 therethrough to receive screws or other means of attachment to the side of a boat. rIt will be noted that the entire rear face of the base plate I0 is flat so as to rest snugly against the planking. Extending outwardly from the base III at both ends thereof and substantially 5 at right angles thereto are flanges I3 which are gradually reduced in height towards their tops where they meet the surface of the base slightly below its upper edge.

At the lower edge of the base III, between the 5 anges I3, are spaced rounded bosses I4 which are perforated transversely to receive a. pintle I5. Hinged to the lower edge of the base I0 is a step (Cl. 22S- 47) I6 having spaced bosses I1 formed on one of its edges which bosses are disposed between the bosses I4 and are also perforated transversely to receive the pintle I5, the step I6 being thus pivotally connected to the base I0. As shown at I8 in Figure 4, the upper faces of the bosses Il are flat and in prolongation of the tread face of the step I6 so as to engage the lower edge of the base plate I0 when the step is moved into position for use. The step is thus held in a substantially horizontal position.

Formed in one side of the step I6 is a recess I9 in which is positioned a latch member 20 in the form of a plunger, which is normally urged outwardly by a spring 2| and which is adapted 15 to rest in a rounded recess 22 in the adjacent boss I4 when the step is in raised position as shown in Figure 3, and thus releasably hold the step in that position.

The step I6 is provided with a transverse brace 20 23 similar to the brace II at opposite sides of which are openings 24 to provide means whereby the step may be conveniently grasped in the case of necessity.

'I'he upper edges of the base plate I0 and step 25 I6 are beveled at Illa and Ilia, respectively, to provide a space 2B therebetween when the step is in raised or folded position and out of use. Because of this space, the upper edge of the step may be readily grasped and lowered for use.

It will be noted that when the step is in raised position it will rest between the flanges I3. In this way, it is protected against damage from piling and other obstructions with which it may come into contact when the boat is in motion. Any shock thus resulting will be borne by the base plate III which is securely attached to the boat, as already explained.

As shown in Figure 5, the steps are to be applied to the side of the boat, above the water line, in staggered relation with suitable Vertical spacing.

What is claimed is:

A Ydevice of the class described, comprising a base plate having its attaching face in a single plane and having a front face substantially parallel therewith, anges at the ends of the front face, and a step pivoted to the base plate between the flanges and adapted to engage the base plate at times, the engaging faces of the step and base plate having marginal portions inclined in opposite directions to provide a finger hold between said portions when the step and base plate are in engagement.

BENJ. E. SABLES. 

